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DISCLAIMER

This blog was started by me initially as a random musing-literature blog,but later by the encouragement of my love & friends and inspiration of many wonderful fellow blogger's ,I converted it into a food blog.That explains the "not-so-foodie" blog name and url,I haven't change it after that.I am a home-cook and all the recipes put in here are cooked and tested in my kitchen. I am in a habit of "eyeballing" the quantities. and spice levels may be a bit high too.So please do alter it according to your common sense and taste level..:)Feel free to Email me for any queries..

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Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Today I am blank.I have a recipe and some pics in hand,but am pretty at loss ,as to how to start it.So Busy Readers,Alert!!! and please skip and hop to the recipe section..

Days are different,so are the moods.Sometimes,you feel to cook,talk,post,laugh..like crazy and some days are meant for you and just you.Feels,Solitude is the best pal.Then you notice,the nature with its serene warmth, breeze humming an unknown mellifluous note,trees with bare stem like a lonesome soul reminiscing the youthful past, and a single ray of light seeping through your kitchen window making the candle stem glitter. Good old days come to mind,when you were carefree and least bothered about life and money and job and n other things that currently runs 24x7 through head.I am in of those moods...These evenings,when I sat back on my couch and start a blog post,mostly I'll be too preoccupied to note any of these.But today ,I feel all for myself and a rather laid back nostalgic feel is in the air.Now the sky is bright and sun is shining like a Zero W bulb,because air is so chilling.This reminds me of the bright evenings after heavy rains,back in Kerala.That was real eye-treat.Water drops on leaves, reflecting and shining bright like thousand suns,and the whole nature so drenched and pretty.I used to sit on my grandpa's big armchair by the side of my bedroom window and gaze endlessly at the nature and its beauty.I used to have my small notebook in hand ,and occasionally scribbled things in my mind, on it.

Now when I think,I understand how far away I am from the place,the image that I have in my mind..All like a mirage.Not that I am happy with this place or life.I am more than happy and enjoy every moment ,but still some memories imprinted on our soul ,sure keeps us craving on a return back to it..Aint it pals??..:)

I think now I should come to the point now.Taking a startling U-turn from the lanes of memory,Today's recipe is a Bitter Gourd Stir Fry.This is one vegetable to which most of us are pretty allergic.Story was the same for me also.My mom,who wanted her kids to have healthy food,tried to feed me with this thing,in its most healthiest form(lightly saute'd,almost greeny form).I was then an anemic kid,and scared of mom,I used to gobble it with water infront of her,but apparently ended up throwing it out ,behind her back.One day my mom found out my trick and after much hassles, started making it more tasty and lightly fried for me with "Thengakothu"(Coconut slices).I instantly liked it and later became a Bitter gourd lover.:D

When I got married,I found out that my sweetheart likes this veggie more than anything.He loves it any form,even that lightly saute'd bitter one.Oh..!!..Every time I send him for veggie shopping,he bring home a bag full of Bitter gourd.So this is my special recipe ,that I make lovingly for him..

A note about the benefits of Bitter gourd:-Bitter gourds are very low in calories but dense with precious nutrients. It is an excellent source of vitamins B1, B2, and B3, C, magnesium, folic acid, zinc, phosphorus, manganese, and has high dietary fiber. It is rich in iron, contains twice the beta-carotene of broccoli, twice the calcium of spinach, and twice the potassium of a banana.Due to high nutritional content,especially Iron and Folic acid,its really good for pregnant women,but an excess intake should be avoided ,as it may lead to preterm labor.

Clean the Bitter gourds,cut in half and remove the seeds and slice it nicely.Take a pan.Pour some oil.Add the Bitter gourd slices and saute in high heat.Now reduce the heat to low and sprinkle some water on the top of the bitter gourd and close the pan.After 5-6 minutes,remove it and keep aside.In the same pan,heat again some oil and add curry leaves.Saute till the nice fragrance spreads and now add the coconut slices.Fry for a minute or two and add the onion slices.Saute till it turns pink.Now add the Bitter gourd slices,salt and mix everything under high heat.Now lower the heat and let it cook.Saute it in regular intervals,to prevent charring.cook till its light-dark brown.A minute before you turn off,Sprinkle Chilli Powder on top and Saute under high heat.

Serve this savory dish with some white rice and curd.This combo is the best..!!!

PS: You can reduce the bitterness of this veggie by soaking it in salt for half an hour before cooking,but that way most of the nutrients also will be washed off.So the pick is yours..Anyhow ,this dish don't taste intolerably bitter or something,as we saute it with slightly sweet coconut slices,onions and flavorful curry leaves.

About Me

Mee..A happy-go-lucky gal..somewhere near 25..:)..Cooking is a source of happiness for me..Balancing health and taste is what I try to do always..Missing my mom's food and greens of my hometown...Living fully every moment of this life wid ma sweet heart,who is always my inspiration..:)